Looking for 1st gear...

[jlbodin 0]

I am looking for my first set of gear and have some questions:

1) When buying from the classifieds (or anywhere else) what is the appropriate expectation for money transfer and inspection - Sending it to my rigger? Having me contact the Seller's rigger? My rigger said to have it sent to him before I pay to have it checked out - is this normal? Should I accept the seller's rigger? I'm about to drop a load of money but want to be fair to myself and the seller.

2) I weigh 190 lbs and am 5'11" - I started my training on a PD260 and finished it on a PD230 (Eclipse Container). As I liked flying the PD230 much more than the 260, I am afraid that if I went with a 230 I would want to downsize much sooner than if I went with a 210 or a 190 - Any thoughts here?

3) Most of the ads talk about what container brand they are - and to me a brand is just a name right now - but none of the ads really talk about container size. If I do get a 230 or a 210 (or a 190) and later (after 100-200 jumps) want to move to a 175/150, will the container I buy today work for a smaller main tomorrow?

4) Type of jumping - Heck right now I'm just having fun (screw that, I'm addicted). Relative work doesn't seem like It would be all-fufilling to me and right now I just like to fly. Most of it is currently belly - but I will try to advance to sit-fly and other fun stuff (Flips - flying - head up/down). That being said I see a lot on the forums about different containers being designed for different things. Can I buy a container that allows me to go a little nuts during the fall on some jumps - but maybe do some RW if the mood strikes me? Right now I am looking at an Infinity (w/230PD), a Talon (w/210PD), or Talon2 (w Sabre 190).

5) AADs - my understanding is they have a 12 year life-span requiring 2 checks between mfg and throw-away, four years apart. Yes?

I know this is a lot of questions - and some may say enjoy the sport for a while before buying but: a) I'm hooked already so it's too late, and b) rental $$$ is too expensive as my DZ charges $35/Jump for gear - add a $20 JT and that makes the day real short.

TIA,

- Jeff

[skybytch 273]

1. If your rigger is willing to act as a middleman in a transaction, take advantage of that offer!

2. Without knowing more about you it's hard for anyone here to give you more than basic advice for canopy size. Based solely on exit weight and low jump numbers I'd recommend no smaller than a 210 sq ft main (whether it's F111 or zp) and no smaller than 190 sq ft for the reserve.

3. You can generally expect to safely go down at least one canopy size (in some cases more) if the container was built for the size main that you are downsizing from (did that make sense??).

If you buy a rig with an F111 main and downsize later to zp you can likely use the same rig for two downsizes. Example - a Sabre 190 packs up about the same as a PD210 does; you could easily put a zp 170 in the same container later.

4. If you think freeflying is in your immediate future make sure that whatever you buy is basically "freefly friendly." By that I mean secure main, reserve and riser flaps (velcro is okay as long as it is well maintained) and little to no bridle exposure.

Don't diss RW til you've tried it. It's not as easy as it looks.

5. The Cypres has a 12 year, 3 month life span. Every two years from the date of manufacture it needs new batteries. Every four years from the date of manufacture it goes back for testing/maintainence.

The Cypres2 doesn't need battery changes but also has a 12 year service life and must go back for maintainence.

This may help some too.

[jlbodin 0]

Thanks for the answers... But wrt#1 - if my rigger is offering to be the middle man, should my expectations be set that the seller should agree to send it there for inspection first - and that the rigger act not so much as a middle man as someone I trust to check out the rig before I send of boocoo bucks?

IOW, should I give a rigger who I don't know (the seller's rigger) at another far-away DZ the same respect I give the one I know? Is there some sort of "I've checked out the gear and it's in 'xxxx' shape" certification a rigger will provide?

Or do I rely on human nature, faith in humanity and mutual trust...

Thanks again...

[Blahr 0]

Have the seller send it to your rigger for inspection.
If it checks out ok THEN send the money to the guy.

This is standard operating procedure and offers some protection for both parties.

[SunWukong 0]

Quote

, I am afraid that if I went with a 230 I would want to downsize much sooner than if I went with a 210 or a 190 - Any thoughts here?

Don't buy a canopy that's beyond your current skill level because you're worried about getting bored later. You'd be a lot more bored lying in traction because of a bad landing.

Also, it sounds like you've been flying F111 canopies. Last Saturday, I jumped a PD F111 canopy instead of the Spectre I'd been jumping. By comparison, it handled like soggy toast. I think that you'll be able to find a canopy that's fun to fly without ramping up your wing loading.

By the way, I'm 5'11", 185 lbs, and anticipate getting a lot of good jumping out of the Spectre 210 I just bought.

[jlbodin 0]

Just for clarification purposes one more time -

MY RIGGER, not his...

Yes?

[skymedic 0]

Yes your rigger....unless you both have the same rigger....

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[betzilla 56]

Quote

Thanks for the answers... But wrt#1 - if my rigger is offering to be the middle man, should my expectations be set that the seller should agree to send it there for inspection first - and that the rigger act not so much as a middle man as someone I trust to check out the rig before I send of boocoo bucks?

IOW, should I give a rigger who I don't know (the seller's rigger) at another far-away DZ the same respect I give the one I know? Is there some sort of "I've checked out the gear and it's in 'xxxx' shape" certification a rigger will provide?

Or do I rely on human nature, faith in humanity and mutual trust...

Thanks again...

I've sold quite a bit of gear in the classifieds here, and this is how I deal with payment and inspection: I will not send a thing without money in my bank account. As a seller, it just doesn't make sense to. BUT, I keep track of the packages in transit, and stay in close communication with the buyer. They have a full week (longer if they get hosed by the weather and can't jump their new stuff) after receiving the gear, to inform me whether they've found a problem, and get a full refund. After that, it's a done deal.

Your rigger might know the rigger at the far-away DZ (they all meet each other at seminars). I would consider sending a rig for inspection, without payment, to a rigger I know, and with whom we've had contact. I would NOT send it to a complete stranger unless I'd been paid.

But I have an advantage -- I work at a huge DZ, in the gear store. Everything we sell has been inspected by one of our riggers, and I always know with reasonable certainty that the buyer will be happy, as long as the harness is a good fit. This is because I make certain that they KNOW what they are getting -- and if there's a problem, they are refunded their money. But being a business, we are held to a high standard, because we want repeat customers, and the best way to do that is by making them happy the first time.

I personally would be leery of buying from a private seller -- leery of being on either end of the sale. I wouldn't want to pay money for something I wasn't sure had been realistically represented. I also wouldn't want to send a rig out for inspection without getting paid.

So what's my point? you can get lucky either way, but if you buy your used gear through a DZ, or a store like Square 1 or Para Concepts (that's me), you are more likely to get a reasonable price, because we price gear to sell. You're also more likely to get gear that's been well inspected and updated.

I'm not saying you can't get a great deal from a private seller, but it's more of a crap shoot.

But good luck, and happy shopping!